List Of Acoustic Guitar Brands, Information & Players 2017. Find The Best Guitar For You!

A list of acoustic guitar brands, with information about each company and the guitars they make. You'll find out about guitars from Martin, Taylor, Yamaha, and a host of other smaller brands.

List Of Acoustic Guitar Brands: Intro

In this list we’ve included all of the major manufacturers of acoustic guitars, plus several promising smaller firms who are making a name for themselves in this particular niche.

We’ve also included any notable players associated with the brand, and an example of a guitar made by the brand that that is representative of their range.

A to Z List of Guitar Brands, With Example Models

Alvarez

Alvarez Artist Series AD60 Dreadnought Guitar
Alvarez Artist Series AD60 Dreadnought Guitar: Click image to see reviews on Amazon.com

Alvarez is based in St Louis, Missouri and was founded in 1965. The company had a long-term relationship with master luthier Kazuo Yairi, and their guitars are made in China and Japan.
Alvarez guitars specialize in acoustic, acoustic-electric and classical instruments.

Blueridge

Blueridge BR-140 Historic Series Dreadnought Guitar
Blueridge BR-140 Historic Series Dreadnought Guitar: Click image to see reviews on Amazon.com

Blueridge is a brand of Chinese-built guitars owned by manufacturer and distributor Saga Musical Instruments. Blueridge make a range of mid to high-range acoustic guitars with traditional styling.

Crafter

Crafter GAE-6
Crafter GAE-6: Click image to see reviews on Amazon.com

Crafter guitars produce a wide range of acoustic guitars in their South Korean factory. The company was founded in 1972 by HyunKwon Park, who began trading as ‘Sungeum’ – a brand that is well-known in Korea.
  • Guitarists who use Crafter guitars: Keri Kelly, Dario Lorina
  • Visit the Crafter website.
  • Guitar to check out: Crafter GAE-6 (Click to see photos & reviews on Amazon.com)

D'Angelico

D'Angelico Madison Jumbo Cutaway Acoustic-Electric
D'Angelico Madison Jumbo Cutaway Acoustic-Electric: Click image to see reviews on Amazon.com

D'Angelico Guitars are based in New York and produce acoustic, acoustic-electric and semi-acoustic guitars. Their instruments are manufactured in a variety of locations, South Korea, Indonesia, California and Michigan.

Dowina

Dowina Danubius D Acoustic Guitar
Dowina Danubius D Acoustic Guitar

Dowina (pronounced ‘davina’) is an acoustic guitar brand based in Slovakia. All of their guitars are built by hand in their workshop in Devin, a town that lies on the junction of the rivers Danube and Morava.

Eastman

Eastman AC422CE Grand Auditorium Cutaway Acoustic-Electric Guitar
Eastman AC422CE Grand Auditorium Cutaway Acoustic-Electric Guitar: Click image to see reviews on Amazon.com

Eastman began life in 1992 as Eastman Strings, an importer of violins from China. The company established its own workshops as it grew. Today Eastman are best known for their high-quality archtop and acoustic guitars.

Epiphone

Epiphone DR-100 Acoustic Guitar
Epiphone DR-100 Acoustic Guitar: Click image to see reviews on Amazon.com

Epiphone is an American musical instrument brand that is now owned by Gibson guitars. Epiphone was founded in 1873 in Turkey. Its Greek owner moved to the United States in 1903, bringing the company with him. Epiphone is currently based in Nashville, Tennessee.
Epiphone make a wide range of electric and acoustic guitars, many of which are ‘value’ versions of higher-priced Gibson models.
  • Guitarists who use Epiphone acoustic guitars: Jack Ingram, Paul McCartney, Bob Dylan, Alex Lifeson
  • Visit the Epiphone website.
  • Guitar to check out: Epiphone DR-100 Acoustic Guitar (Click to see photos & reviews on Amazon.com)

Faith

Faith Venus Electro/Cut HiGloss
Faith Venus Electro/Cut HiGloss: Click photo to see reviews on amazon.co.uk

Faith Guitars was formed in 2002 by renowned British luthier Patrick James Eggle. They make a range of acoustic and acoustic-electric guitars in their Indonesian workshops. Eggle also produces a range of high-end electric guitars under his own name.
  • Guitarists who use Faith guitars: Gavin Burrough, Andy Crowley, Paul Smith
  • Visit the Faith website.
  • Guitar to check out: Faith Venus Electro/Cut HiGloss (Click to see photos & reviews on Amazon.co.uk)

Fender

Fender FA-100 Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar
Fender FA-100 Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar: Click image to see reviews on Amazon.com

Better known for their electric guitars, Fender also produces a range of entry and mid-range acoustic guitars.

Gibson

Gibson Hummingbird Acoustic-Electric Guitar
Gibson Hummingbird Acoustic-Electric Guitar: Click image to see reviews on Amazon.com

Gibson Brands, Inc. started life in 1902 as the ‘Gibson Mandolin-Guitar Mfg. Co., Ltd’. Today the company is one of the biggest names in guitar manufacturing.

Gibson makes a range of mainly high-end acoustic guitars, which includes models first made in the 1960’s.

Godin

Godin A6 Two-Chambered Electro-Acoustic Guitar
Godin A6 Two-Chambered Electro-Acoustic Guitar: Click image to see reviews on Amazon.com

Godin are a Canadian acoustic guitar manufacturer that also owns brands such as Seagull, Simon & Patrick, Norman, & Lutherie and La Patrie.

As well as making electric and semi-acoustic guitars, Godin produce a range of innovative acoustic-electric guitars, in both steel-string and nylon varieties.

Guild

Guild M-120 Acoustic Guitar
Guild M-120 Acoustic Guitar: Click image to see reviews on Amazon.com

Previously owned by Fender, and now owned by the Californian Cordoba Music Group, Guild was originally formed in 1952 in New York.

The brand now makes a range of mid to high-end guitars in California.

  • Guitarists who use Guild guitars: Brian May, Billy Duffy, Ethan Luck, Fran Healy
  • Visit the Guild website.
  • Guitar to check out: Guild M-120 Acoustic Guitar (Click to see photos & reviews on Amazon.com)

Ibanez

Ibanez AW54OPN Artwood Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar
Ibanez AW54OPN Artwood Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar: Click image to see reviews on Amazon.com

Ibanez is a Japanese guitar brand, owned by Hoshino Gakki, a musical instrument manufacturer that also owns Tama drums.

Ibanez was one of the first Japanese brands to become widely known in the United States and Europe. Today the company makes a wide range of electric and acoustic guitars in all price ranges.

  • Guitarists who use Ibanez acoustic guitars: Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Matthew Lowe & Tom Sweet, Keston Cobblers Club
  • Visit the Ibanez website (acoustic section).
  • Guitar to check out: Ibanez AW54OPN Artwood Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar (Click to see photos & reviews on Amazon.com)

James Neligan

James Neligan ASY-A MINI ASYLA Series Auditorium Acoustic Travel Guitar
James Neligan ASY-A MINI ASYLA Series Auditorium Acoustic Travel Guitar: Click image to see reviews on Amazon.com

James Neligan are a guitar manufacturer who specialize in Chinese-made entry and mid-range acoustic guitars.

Larrivée

Larrivee D-40 Legacy Dreadnought Mahogany Acoustic Guitar
Larrivee D-40 Legacy Dreadnought Mahogany Acoustic Guitar: Click image to see reviews on Amazon.com

Larrivée is a Canadian acoustic guitar company that today makes its instruments in California. The company was founded in 1967 by luthier Jean Larrivée.

Larrivée produce a range of mid to high-end acoustic guitars.

Martin

Martin D-18
Martin D-18: Click image to see reviews on Amazon.com

No list of acoustic guitar brands would be complete without Martin. C.F. Martin & Company is one of the world’s best-known and well-respected makers of acoustic guitars. Founded in 1833 by Christian Frederick Martin, the company has produced a number of iconic acoustic guitars, including the D-45, D-35, D-28 and D-18.

Martin’s high-end models are made in the USA. The company also manufactures guitars in its Mexico factory.

  • Guitarists who use Martin guitars: Tony Rice, Chris Cornell, Del McCoury, Ed Sheeran (and many others)
  • Visit the Martin website.
  • Guitar to check out: Martin D-18 (Click to see photos & reviews on Amazon.com)

Michael Kelly

Michael Kelly Guitars MKTPE Triad Port
Michael Kelly Guitars MKTPE Triad Port: Click image to see reviews on Amazon.com

Michael Kelly is a relatively new acoustic guitar brand, having been founded in 1999. The company imports high-quality guitars made to their own specifications from South Korea and other locations.

Mitchell

Mitchell MX400 Exotic Wood Acoustic-Electric guitar
Mitchell MX400 Exotic Wood Acoustic-Electric guitar: Click image to see reviews on Amazon.com

Mitchell produce a range of entry and mid-level guitars.

Ovation

Ovation CE44-5 Acoustic-Electric Guitar
Ovation CE44-5 Acoustic-Electric Guitar: Click image to see reviews on Amazon.com

Ovation, or the Ovation Guitar Company, to give it its full name, is known for its characteristic round-backed guitars and original headstock design. Founded in New Hartford, Connecticut in 1965, Ovation was sold to Fender in 2008. The brand is now owned by Drum Workshop.

Ovation produces guitars in most price ranges, including entry-level instruments.

  • Guitarists who use Ovation guitars: Ian Ethan Case, Benjamin Burnley, Kevin Cronin, Dave Amato
  • Visit the Ovation website.
  • Guitar to check out: Ovation CE44-5 Acoustic-Electric Guitar (Click to see photos & reviews on Amazon.com)

Paris Swing

Paris Swing GG-39 Model 39 Gypsy Jazz Guitar
Paris Swing GG-39 Model 39 Gypsy Jazz Guitar: Click image to see reviews on Amazon.com

Paris Swing produce instruments based on the guitars made by French company Selmer between 1932 and 1952.

Aimed primarily at gypsy jazz guitarists hoping to recreate the tone of Django Reinhardt, these Chinese-made instruments are the closest many will get to the real thing.

Rainsong

RainSong Guitars Concert Series CO-WS1000N2
RainSong Guitars Concert Series CO-WS1000N2: Click image to see reviews on Amazon.com

Washington State-based Rainsong make high-quality, all-graphite acoustic guitars.

Recording King

Recording King ROH-07 Dirty 30's Harmonella 000
Recording King ROH-07 Dirty 30's Harmonella 000: Click image to see reviews on Amazon.com

Recording King make acoustic guitars, banjos, resonator and lap steel guitars and are based in California, importing guitars made to their own designs from abroad. Their good-looking traditional instruments are aimed at beginner and mid-range price points.

Santa Cruz Guitar Company

Santa Cruz Guitar Company The Tony Rice
Santa Cruz Guitar Company: The Tony Rice

Santa Cruz Guitar Company was founded in 1976 by luthier Richard Hoover. They make high-quality hand-crafted guitars that are used by many big names in acoustic guitar playing.
  • Guitarists who use Santa Cruz guitars: Tony Rice, Johnny Cash, Martin Taylor, Doc Watson
  • Visit the Santa Cruz website.
  • Guitar to check out: The Tony Rice

Seagull

Seagull S6 Original
Seagull S6 Original: Click image to see reviews on Amazon.com

Seagull is an acoustic guitar brand owned by Godin. The company aims to produce affordable guitars made to high-level specifications. Sustainability is also a focus of the company. Their mid-level range of guitars are available in a range of traditional designs.

Sigma

Sigma Guitars SD15SHB Mahogany Dreadnought
Sigma Guitars SD15SHB Mahogany Dreadnought: Click image to see reviews on Amazon.com

Sigma is an acoustic guitar brand originally started by Martin in 1970 in response to inexpensive Japanese-made guitars appearing on the American market.

The brand was discontinued in 2011, but resurrected by a German company that now imports guitars made under the Sigma name from China.

Takamine

Takamine GN93CE-NAT Nex Cutaway Acoustic-Electric Guitar
Takamine GN93CE-NAT Nex Cutaway Acoustic-Electric Guitar: Click image to see reviews on Amazon.com

Takamine is a Japanese manufacturer of acoustic guitars. Takamine was at the forefront of electro-acoustic guitar design, and pioneered the use of pre-amps and equalizers on their instruments.

The brand has always been well-thought of by acoustic guitarists, and produces guitars right across the price range spectrum.

Taylor

Taylor 114 100 Series Acoustic Guitar
Taylor 114 100 Series Acoustic Guitar: Click image to see reviews on Amazon.com

Taylor Guitars is an American acoustic guitar brand, based in El Cajon, California. The company was founded in 1974 by Bob Taylor and Kurt Listug. Since then Taylor has gone on to become one of the best-known acoustic guitar brands.

Taylor’s high-end guitars are made in its California factory, while its lower-priced models are made in Tecate, Mexico.

  • Guitarists who use Taylor guitars: Tony Iommi, Taylor Swift, David Mayfield, Phillip Phillips, Rob Cavallo, Silent Comedy
  • Visit the Taylor website.
  • Guitar to check out: Taylor 114 100 Series Acoustic Guitar (Click to see photos & reviews on Amazon.com)

The Loar

The Loar LH-204-BR Brownstone Small Body Acoustic Guitar
The Loar LH-204-BR Brownstone Small Body Acoustic Guitar: Click image to see reviews on Amazon.com

The Loar make acoustic guitars, semi-acoustic guitars, and mandolins in the style of the 1920’s and 30’s. The company is best known for their jazz guitars. They also make a range of good-looking small-bodied acoustic guitars with traditional finishes.

Washburn

Washburn WD10 Series WD10S
Washburn WD10 Series WD10S: Click image to see reviews on Amazon.com

Washburn Guitars was founded in 1883 in Chicago. It made guitars, mandolins, banjos and zithers until the 1940s.

The brand was resurrected in the 1960’s as an importer of quality instruments. Today Washburn is owned by JAM Industries USA, who own several other familiar brands, including Marshall Amplifiers and DigiTech Effects.

  • Guitarists who use Washburn guitars: Trevor Rabin, Nuno Bettencourt, Richie Owens
  • Visit the Washburn website.
  • Guitar to check out: Washburn WD10 Series WD10S (Click to see photos & reviews on Amazon.com)

Yamaha

Yamaha FG800 Solid Top Acoustic Guitar
Yamaha FG800 Solid Top Acoustic Guitar: Click image to see reviews on Amazon.com

The Yamaha Corporation, as well as making a huge range of electric and acoustic instruments, also manufacture motorcycles, electronics and sports equipment.

Despite this wide variety of products, the Japanese multinational’s acoustic guitars have been consistently well-made. Over the years they've picked up a large number of fans.

Today’s range features instruments from entry level up.

List of Acoustic Guitar Brands: Conclusion

Are you thinking about buying a new acoustic guitar? Wondering which brand to go for? It’s a big decision; you could be stuck with your new guitar for many years. You don't want to pick the wrong one!

Brand loyalty is high among guitarists; we tend to get attached to our instruments – even to the point of overlooking their faults. Any criticism of the brand becomes a personal insult!

However, for this list we've remained professional and non-partisan!

We hope that you have enjoyed learning about the acoustic guitar brands listed above. Ultimately, whatever guitar you play, it's up to you to put the work in and make the music.

While it would be nice to have a Martin D-18 and a Gibson Hummingbird sitting side by side in your practice room, a decent Yamaha will do the job of both guitars – leaving you some cash to spend on lessons, promotion, recording gear … and food!

Happy playing!

11 thoughts on “List Of Acoustic Guitar Brands, Information & Players 2017. Find The Best Guitar For You!”

  1. I have a Wizard acoustic guitar that was made in USA. It has a serial number stamped on the makers label inside the sound box S.40. The name Wizard is also on the neck. Any idea as to how old the guitar is. I am 72 years old and my late father had the guitar during WW2 that ended in 1945, so it is a rather old guitar.

    Reply
    • Hi David,

      Thank you for your message. Sorry, we can’t help you with this one; all we could find was a brief mention of Wizard Guitars here: https://jedistar.com/wizard/
      It sounds like you own a little piece of history! We wish you luck trying to find out more about the guitar.

      Regards,

      The Guitar Command Team

      If any of our readers have any information (or perhaps own a Wizard Guitar themselves), please leave a comment below.

      Reply
  2. Has anyone ever heard of a guitar with the name VIVARY on the head stock ? Sound hole labe states DUCK-YOUNG INDUSTRIES CO. LTD Korea. I picked one up 30 plus years ago seam to play well and built well.
    Also any reviews on Zager guitars? Seams to be alot of talk on the internet.
    Thanks

    Reply
  3. Has anyone ever heard of a acoustic guitar with a paper label inside the sound hole called (LAUREL) Not Laurel canyon ! Just( LAUREL )With a (BDS. 051012124.

    Reply
    • We are working on updating all of the content on the site. If anyone has any more recommendations then we’d be pleased to consider them! 🙂

      Reply
  4. You left out one of the best hand crafted guitars in America. Zager guitars were used by the Johnny Cash band, Bruce Springsteen, Garth Brooks, Lady GAGA and others. I own one and it really is easier to play and sounds great. Also more volume with less effort.

    Reply

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